Xplore in brief: Prepare to cut your own Christmas tree

Nov. 9, 2012

Planning to cut your own Christmas tree this year? The Christmas tree cutting area in Red Feather Lakes is open Dec. 1 through Dec. 9 and permits are on sale beginning Nov. 26.

The public can purchase their permit (cash only) in Fort Collins at the Canyon Lakes Ranger District office, 2150 Centre, Ave., Building E.

The cutting area is located north of Fort Collins, south of Red Feather Lakes. Take U.S. Highway 287 north of Fort Collins for 21 miles. At Livermore, turn left onto Red Feather Lakes Road (County Road 74E) and travel about 16 miles to the Boy Scout Road (County Road 68C). Turn left on the Boy Scout Road and drive seven miles to the entrance of the cutting area. Signs or U.S. Forest Service personnel will provide directions the rest of the way. Chains or four-wheel drive is required to enter the cutting area.

The cutting area is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For cutting during the week, permits must be purchased in advance from the Canyon Lakes Ranger District. On the weekends, permits can be purchased at the cutting area. Last year approximately 3,100 trees were sold.

For more information about cutting your own tree, contact the visitor information office at (970)295-6700 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/arp.

Volunteer ranger assistants sought

A volunteer ranger assistant, or VRA, is a friendly face on the trail who can answer visitor questions and also have a role in caring for trails, kiosks and other amenities. VRA training is from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 19-20 and all day Feb. 23. For the 20 hours of training, volunteers are asked to contribute 20 hours of service in return.

For more information or to apply, visit www. fcgov.com/naturalareas or contact Rhonda Peckham at (970) 631-2933 or rpeckham@fcgov.com.

November boating access hours set

Planned boating access hours for November at Horsetooth Reservoir from the South Bay Ramp are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, weather and ice dependent.

Boating access hours from the North Ramp at Carter Lake are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, weather and ice dependent.